Originally Posted by fr8rcaptain

UPS Captain Rick Barr:
After careful consideration and planning, we have decided to close Next Day Air night sort operations at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The volume currently processed in these night operations will be directed to Worldport and other regional air hubs.

This change is the result of a need to make sound business decisions based on the global economic situation. Other existing operations (such as the preload, package operations, sunrise, day, and twilight sorts) in these facilities will not be impacted.

The change is effective February 2009 and is being announced today to keep you informed on the progress of our strategy to optimize the network and maximize asset utilization. Between now and February, we will work to identify opportunities for employees impacted by this change.

UPS’s flexible, integrated network gives us the ability to adjust in response to volume levels and ensure these changes are seamless to our customers. We have taken a number of steps this year to address global business realities and overall economic conditions.

Initiatives have been implemented to consolidate regions, districts and business units; optimize our network; balance staffing; and leverage non-operations capabilities through shared service models. At the same time, we will continue to invest in the right opportunities to grow our business. These include our aggressive efforts to convert DHL volume, our continued investments in Asia, Worldport expansion and new aircraft deliveries.

For more than 100 years, we have prided ourselves on running an efficient, well-managed organization and the dedication of our people has been central to our success. We will continue to evaluate all opportunities and make adjustments as necessary to manage through these difficult economic times, while trying to minimize the impact on our people. This will ensure our company is well-positioned to emerge stronger than ever when the economy recovers.